Advocacy

LSWC strongly supports Assembly and Senate bill A5291(González- Rojas)/S5975(Brouk), which aims to repeal the examination requirement for licensed master social workers in New York State.

 

In 2022, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) released a trend analysis of pass/fail rates by age and race from 2011-2021, responding to requests from schools and organizations. The data revealed significant disparities, particularly between white graduates and Black and Latinx graduates. In New York State, 86% of white graduates passed the LMSW exam on their first attempt, compared to only 49% of Black graduates and 62% of Latinx graduates. Subsequent pass rates also displayed disparities, with 91% of white graduates eventually passing the exam, in contrast to 52% for Black graduates and 71% for Latinx graduates. Consequently, slightly over half of Black graduates and only two-thirds of Latinx graduates obtain licensure as MSW social workers in New York State.

 

The Latino Social Work Coalition opposes the ASWB social work licensing exams due to significant disparities in pass rates for prospective social workers of color, older adults, and those for whom English is a second language. Consequently, LSWC is actively advocating for the passage of A5291/S5975 during the 2024 legislative session. Read our memo in support of the legislation HERE.